Suzy Evans is a literary agent with and the founder of Suzy Evans Literary Agency. She says: “IÕm a literary agent, attorney, and author who holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley. My books include Machiavelli for Moms (Simon & Schuster) and Forgotten Crimes: The Holocaust and People with Disabilities. IÕm also a former ghostwriter for a #1 New York Times bestselling author with 30 million copies sold and my work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Parade, McSweeneys, and The London Times.”

In the adult market, IÕm on the hunt for great serious nonfiction, especially by historians looking to make a transition from an academic to trade audience and journalists who have something unique and significant to say. IÕm also on the lookout for smart parenting books with useful, original hooks (bonus points for humor!); food, health, and wellness titles, sports books with smart crossover appeal in other genres, especially history and philosophy (IÕd LOVE to find the next Golf in the Kingdom or Zen and the Art of Archery); self-help by experts with established platforms and riveting, elegantly-rendered memoir (favorites include William FinneganÕs Barbarian Days and Paul KalanithiÕs When Breath Becomes Air), as well as science and nature, pop culture, Òbig ideaÓ books about controversial issues, and small, quirky books that make me smile or think about the world in entirely new and surprising ways. IÕd also love to find a great legal thriller and IÕm ALWAYS on the hunt for timely and important books by and about smart, strong, badass women!

On the childrenÕs front, I have a great love of middle grade and am on the hunt for lively, engaging nonfiction that pops off the page and makes kids excited about reading and learning; wacky/hilarious commercial MG fiction with series potential; and graphic novels that bring history, great works of literature, and fascinating historical figures (think Socrates! Machiavelli! Hamilton!) to life. I also have a soft spot for coming-of-age MG works, YA fiction that tackles difficult issues in bold, daring ways and with inventive formats that can be brought into the classroom to stimulate meaningful discussion and debate, and sweet, lyrical picture books that capture the imagination and call for multiple readings (classic and recent favorites include Stellaluna, Finding Winnie, Sarah and the Big Wave and The Cat Who Walked Across France). IÕd also love to find contemporary MG/YA fiction that explores diversity in all its glorious manifestations and a smart, high-concept thriller that has ÒMOVIE!Ó written all over it.

Now for three random things about me: I donÕt have a sense of smell, I have a serious fear of boredom, butterflies, and Great White Sharks, and I drive my kids crazy with my REALLY bad jokes, like my all-time favorite: Why donÕt lobsters like to share? Because theyÕre shellfish!!! Ha!! And three of my favorite quotes include:

ÒFind a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.Ó Ð Mark Twain

ÒThree things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.Ó Ð Henry James

And: ÒFollow your bliss.Ó Ð Joseph Campbell